KCS joins national campaign to end electronic device distractions

This year, KCS is joining the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) campaign to end distracted driving by promoting the message that One Text or Call Could Wreck It All.

Starting January 7, the amended General Code of Operating Rule 2.22 pertaining to the use of electronic devices while on the job will be in effect for all U.S. operating employees. The revised rule is more restrictive than the previous rule, in response to the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) efforts to heighten awareness of this important topic.

In November 2012, FRA launched a collaborative effort to educate and raise awareness among rail industry employees of the dangers of using electronic devices on the job. FRA encouraged rail companies to adopt anti-distraction programs and challenged all railroad employees to make the improper use of such devices while on the job socially unacceptable.

"The constant use of electronic devices for texting and calling has become so prevalent in our society that we must take steps to prevent this behavior from migrating into our workplace," said KCS executive vice president and chief operating officer Dave Ebbrecht. "The primary emphasis of this campaign is to raise awareness among all operating employees of the importance of strictly following this rule to ensure the safety of our operation."